Recent severe elbow joint pain

Oct 5, 2001

Dear doctor, I hope you can help me. I am starting to have horrible pain in my right elbow going up to my shoulder and down to my wrist. Especially, as I am typing this minute. I am leaning my elbow on a pillow. After a recent geno-type my doctor put me on FORTOVASE. I have been of and on AIDS medications for 14 years. I am also currently on Zerit, Epivir and Kaletra. I am on Carbatrol and Neurontin from my Psychiatrist. I have been "cracking" my bones and knucles for years (probably arthritis) but never had much pain. I do take allopurinol dailey for a hereditary gout problem. My Infectious Disease doctor put me on Ultram for 6 mos. but took me off of it because he said it was bad for my liver. I had asked him to double the dose. He put me on Oxycontin last month and referred me to a Pain Managemnet Specialist. My lower back has also started hurting in the last 6 mos. but that is under control and I am careful about bending. At 51, I have had AIDS for probably 20 years and am just starting to have constant pain. I have dealt with all of the other common side affects. I do not abuse any of my medications and am no longer on Ultram. I am on the lowest dosage (20 mg twice a day) of Oxycontin and take it every 12 hrs. I am wondering if the Fortovase may be causing the problem in my elbow and muscle to ache. I don't want pain medication to cover up something that could be treated. Can you help me???

Response from Dr. Boyle

Unfortunately, you have many reasons for your elbow pain, and I doubt that the fortovase is causing it. This may be a gout flair, arthritis, tendonitis, lateral epicondylitis, or another cause. This should be evaluated by your doctor and, if appropriate, studies should be obtained to ascertain its cause.

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